IP address conflict at home

ostrich · 03-07-2007, 07:09 PM

I've been using my laptop at home w/ a wireless network for a couple of years now, but recently, I've been getting this message saying "Windows - System Error. There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network." I then get disconnected and have to reconnect manually to access the internet. Any ideas why and how to fix?

ostrich · 03-07-2007, 08:07 PM

Bear with me, I'm not that tech saavy. I'm using a laptop to access the network. The router is a Netgear WGT624 v2 connected to a desktop. There are 2 desktops and 3 laptops total at home that access the wireless network. DSL. All computers are running XP. Not sure about the others, but the laptop I'm using has an Intel Pro 2200 BG wireless adapter. To the best of my knowledge, the other computers dont have this error message, only mine. But recently, every computer has had trouble accessing the network despite an "excellent" status message about the network. Don't know about any new devices or people accessing the network. As for the IP stuff, I need help in finding that information, as I have limited knowledge myself. Thanks

When my connection is lost, I right click the wireless icon and click repair, then I can get on again. But I have to do this every few minutes when the conflict message appears.

**JamesO** · 03-07-2007, 08:18 PM

Very common problem in home situations where laptops are present.

The problem is you take a short term power disruption, the router looses info about who has what address assigned. The laptops have batteries and retain their addresses.

The way to solve your current problem is reboot all the laptops.

The long term solution is a battery back up for the router that lasts as long as the laptops.

Another option is to configure static IP addresses for the laptops, this is a problem if you travel with the machines as you forget about the static IP address.

You may also need to update the drivers for your Intel 2200 card, they have LOTS of issues and need LOTS of updates!

JamesO

baker421 · 03-09-2007, 08:07 PM

Any chance you have a neighbor with a wireless network that's running the default channel and default ip scope, and it the same as yours?

The "already in use" deal triggered that comment.

I'd get my router docs and find out how to log into my router. Then I'd change the channel.

Next I'd change the range of ip addresses. I'd pick something like 192.168.10.205 - 192.168.10.230. If the routers third octet of numbers (the 10) is different (say 1,) then I'd change all to that number, as in 192.168.1.205... The router will tell you its ip when you get in there. It's static on the lan side.

This is not setting static ips and won't affect you in your travels. You aren't doing this to the computers, but the router. What this does is give you a great chance that you won't be using the same default ips and channel as your neighbors are.

Since your computers are set to get dynamic ips, they will just get them from the new block of ips (scope) in the router. The router is what assigns the ips. (it has the dhcp server.)

That might do it. If not, it's still important to do. It minimizes the chance of someone hacking your network.

OH, and don't forget to encrypt in the router and then give that info to the computers.

JB

picohat · 03-10-2007, 01:28 AM

If you enabled DHCP setting on router, ensure that you have big enough IP range configured. You can also configure the IP on computer manually.

Simple IP logical network design

Try and see... Hope helps...

03-07-2007, 07:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
ostrich Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 33 OS: xp	IP address conflict at home I've been using my laptop at home w/ a wireless network for a couple of years now, but recently, I've been getting this message saying "Windows - System Error. There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network." I then get disconnected and have to reconnect manually to access the internet. Any ideas why and how to fix?

03-09-2007, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
baker421 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 274 OS: xp pro, server 2003	Any chance you have a neighbor with a wireless network that's running the default channel and default ip scope, and it the same as yours? The "already in use" deal triggered that comment. I'd get my router docs and find out how to log into my router. Then I'd change the channel. Next I'd change the range of ip addresses. I'd pick something like 192.168.10.205 - 192.168.10.230. If the routers third octet of numbers (the 10) is different (say 1,) then I'd change all to that number, as in 192.168.1.205... The router will tell you its ip when you get in there. It's static on the lan side. This is not setting static ips and won't affect you in your travels. You aren't doing this to the computers, but the router. What this does is give you a great chance that you won't be using the same default ips and channel as your neighbors are. Since your computers are set to get dynamic ips, they will just get them from the new block of ips (scope) in the router. The router is what assigns the ips. (it has the dhcp server.) That might do it. If not, it's still important to do. It minimizes the chance of someone hacking your network. OH, and don't forget to encrypt in the router and then give that info to the computers. JB __________________ mcse/mcsa, mcp xp pro, a+, net+, it project+ He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.- Anonymous.

03-07-2007, 08:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
ostrich Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 33 OS: xp	Bear with me, I'm not that tech saavy. I'm using a laptop to access the network. The router is a Netgear WGT624 v2 connected to a desktop. There are 2 desktops and 3 laptops total at home that access the wireless network. DSL. All computers are running XP. Not sure about the others, but the laptop I'm using has an Intel Pro 2200 BG wireless adapter. To the best of my knowledge, the other computers dont have this error message, only mine. But recently, every computer has had trouble accessing the network despite an "excellent" status message about the network. Don't know about any new devices or people accessing the network. As for the IP stuff, I need help in finding that information, as I have limited knowledge myself. Thanks When my connection is lost, I right click the wireless icon and click repair, then I can get on again. But I have to do this every few minutes when the conflict message appears.

03-07-2007, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Very common problem in home situations where laptops are present. The problem is you take a short term power disruption, the router looses info about who has what address assigned. The laptops have batteries and retain their addresses. The way to solve your current problem is reboot all the laptops. The long term solution is a battery back up for the router that lasts as long as the laptops. Another option is to configure static IP addresses for the laptops, this is a problem if you travel with the machines as you forget about the static IP address. You may also need to update the drivers for your Intel 2200 card, they have LOTS of issues and need LOTS of updates! JamesO

03-10-2007, 01:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
picohat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 23 OS: XP	If you enabled DHCP setting on router, ensure that you have big enough IP range configured. You can also configure the IP on computer manually. Simple IP logical network design Try and see... Hope helps...